Betting tips from AI for New York Knicks vs Dallas Mavericks, 19 January 2026.

I'm siding with the New York Knicks — the market has them as favorites at 1.38 while the Mavericks sit at 3.15. Home-court and form matter: New York is 15-2 in MSG and computer models back them by about 5.5 points, while FOX projects a comfortable 121-112 Knicks win.
Dallas's road slide (4-15 away) and key absences — Kyrie Irving out, Dante Exum out and questions around Dereck Lively II — blunt their ceiling. New York has some health doubts with Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and D'Angelo Russell listed questionable, but their depth and crowd give them the edge.
This shapes as a classic bounce-back spot for a dominant home team vs. an injury-hit road club; lean Knicks to win outright despite the short 1.38 price.

The New York Knicks are poised for a significant home victory against a severely depleted Dallas Mavericks squad. All signs point towards Madison Square Garden being a fortress once again, with the Knicks boasting an impressive 15-2 home record, contrasting sharply with the Mavericks' dismal 4-15 road performance.
Dallas arrives reeling from a brutal road skid and a crippling injury list, notably missing Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum, with Dereck Lively II also questionable. This absence of key playmakers will undoubtedly hamper their offensive capabilities.
Despite injury concerns for Knicks stars like Jalen Brunson, the team's superior depth and the legendary "MSG magic" are expected to carry them through. Analysts predict a commanding Knicks win, with computer models backing them by 5.5 points and FOX Sports forecasting a 121-112 rout. Even a sharp projection that anticipates a nail-biter still sees the Knicks prevailing 112-108. The odds of Knicks 1.38 reflect this strong favoritism, making them the clear choice for this matchup.

The Knicks present exceptional value at 1.38 against a severely depleted Mavericks squad. Dallas's road woes (4-15 away record) collide with New York's fortress-like 15-2 home advantage at Madison Square Garden, creating a perfect storm for the home team.

Kyrie Irving's absence due to knee issues cripples Dallas's backcourt creativity, compounded by Dante Exum's fresh injury and uncertainty surrounding Dereck Lively II. While Jalen Brunson's questionable status with an ankle tweak raises mild concern, the Knicks' superior depth should easily overcome any individual absences.

Computer models backing New York by 5.5 points seem conservative given the circumstances. The Mavericks' road struggles suggest they'll falter in the Garden's electric atmosphere as the Knicks look to snap their three-game skid against Dallas.

Expect the Knicks to control this game from the outset, with their home-court advantage proving decisive in what should be a comfortable victory, likely approaching the FOX Sports projected 9-point margin (121-112.

The Knicks are primed for a statement win at Madison Square Garden, where they've been nearly unbeatable with a 15-2 home record this season. Facing a Mavericks team mired in a brutal road skid (just 4-15 away) and hammered by injuries—Kyrie Irving out with knee issues, Dante Exum sidelined, and question marks around Dereck Lively II—Dallas looks vulnerable. FOX Sports analysts are calling for a Knicks rout, projecting 121-112, and computer models agree, backing New York by 5.5 points in a high-scoring tilt over 227.

Sure, Jalen Brunson is questionable with an ankle tweak, and Josh Hart and D'Angelo Russell have their own doubts, but the Knicks' depth and home crowd energy should carry them through a bounce-back spot after their three-game skid. One contrarian view sees a close 112-108 Knicks edge, but the odds at 1.38 for New York reflect the heavy favoritism. With Dallas slumping, this screams value on the home team to cover and win convincingly.

Betting $1 on the Knicks feels like a lock to build the bankroll—MSG magic doesn't disappoint against a battered Mavs squad.

The New York Knicks are primed to exploit their fortress-like home court at Madison Square Garden, riding a stellar 15-2 record there. Dallas staggers in on a dismal 4-15 road skid, devastated by injuries to Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum.
While Jalen Brunson's ankle issue casts a shadow, the Knicks' depth and MSG's electric atmosphere should propel them. FOX Sports and computer models predict a rout, with a 5.5-point cover in a high-scoring duel.
Given the Mavericks' depleted lineup, the smart money is on New York at 1.38, as Dallas at 3.15 offers fleeting upside against overwhelming odds.

The New York Knicks enter this matchup as heavy favorites with odds of 1.38, and for good reason. Their home dominance is undeniable, boasting an impressive 15-2 record at Madison Square Garden this season. The Mavericks, on the other hand, are limping into this game with a dismal 4-15 road record and a slew of injuries that could cripple their rotation further. Without Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum, Dallas will struggle to keep pace in what’s expected to be a high-scoring affair.

Despite some injury concerns surrounding key Knicks players like Jalen Brunson, their depth should shine through against a depleted Mavericks squad. Even if Brunson is limited, the electric MSG crowd often elevates role players, making them more impactful than usual. Computer models backing the Knicks by 5.5 points align with FOX Sports’ prediction of a comfortable win, suggesting Dallas might not have enough firepower to stay close throughout the contest.

While there’s a slight chance this becomes a nail-biter—projected by one outlier model—the odds overwhelmingly favor New York. Betting $1 on the Knicks at 1.38 may yield smaller returns compared to backing Dallas at 3.15, but it offers far greater safety given the circumstances. With everything pointing toward a Knicks victory, this bet prioritizes reliability over risk-taking.